Abstract: A torsion axle arrangement is provided wherein the spindle is mounted to the suspension link by insertion into a split socket at one end of the suspension link, which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the suspension link. That connection is maintained by a bolt passing through the suspension link, engaging a mating groove in the spindle, and then clamping the ends of the split socket together. The bolt is anchored to the suspension link by a threaded connection external to the suspension link. A chamfer or surface recess is formed in the surface of the suspension link for immediate source identification.

Abstract: A self-latching trailer coupler has a fixed body, a displaceable slide and a biasing member. The body includes a slide slot in which the slide is displaceable in reciprocating first and second displacement directions. The biasing member biases the slide in one of the displacement directions. A biasing chamber and a retention chamber are formed within a side of the slide. The biasing chamber has at least two sides enclosing the biasing member. The coupler additionally has a retention member attached to the body which extends into the biasing chamber and engages an end of the biasing member. The retention member further extends into the retention chamber to define the displacement limits of the slide.

Abstract: A self-latching trailer coupler has a fixed body, a displaceable slide and a biasing member. The body includes a slide slot in which the slide is displaceable in reciprocating first and second displacement directions. The biasing member biases the slide in one of the displacement directions. A biasing chamber and a retention chamber are formed within a side of the slide. The biasing chamber has at least two sides enclosing the biasing member. The coupler additionally has a retention member attached to the body which extends into the biasing chamber and engages an end of the biasing member. The retention member further extends into the retention chamber to define the displacement limits of the slide.

Abstract: A trailer tongue assembly is provided which has a first section, a second section and a hinge pivotally connecting the first and section sections. The first section has a first end with a cross-sectional configuration and the second section has a second end with a cross-sectional configuration. The hinge has a fixed section, a rotatable section, and a pivot member. The fixed section has a first attachment flange with a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the cross-sectional configuration of the first end. The rotatable section has a second attachment flange with a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the cross-sectional configuration of the second end. The pivot member rotatably connects the fixed and rotatable sections and the first attachment flange is fixably attached to the first end while the second attachment flange is fixably attached to the second end.

Abstract: A trailer tongue assembly is provided which has a first section, a second section and a hinge pivotally connecting the first and section sections. The first section has a first end with a cross-sectional configuration and the second section has a second end with a cross-sectional configuration. The hinge has a fixed section, a rotatable section, and a pivot member. The fixed section has a first attachment flange with a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the cross-sectional configuration of the first end. The rotatable section has a second attachment flange with a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the cross-sectional configuration of the second end. The pivot member rotatably connects the fixed and rotatable sections and the first attachment flange is fixably attached to the first end while the second attachment flange is fixably attached to the second end.

Abstract: A trailer tongue assembly has a base section which is engagable with a trailer and an extension section which supports a coupler. The trailer tongue assembly also has an internal hinge positioned between the extension section and the base section. The internal hinge rotationally connects the base section and the extension section and selectively provides the trailer tongue assembly with an extended operational position and a folded storage position. The internal hinge is housed in the trailer tongue assembly and is essentially shielded from view by the trailer tongue assembly when the trailer tongue assembly is in the extended operational position. The trailer tongue assembly also has a greater length in the extended operational position than in the folded storage position.

Abstract: A cover assembly is provided for a wheel hub, which includes a coupler and a cap. The coupler has a forward segment with a coupler forward opening and a coupler rearward segment with a coupler rearward opening. The cap has a cap opening, a cap barrel, and a cap end plate. The coupler rearward segment is configured for connection to a wheel hub, while the cap is configured for connection to the coupler forward segment and for selectively removable coverage of the coupler forward opening. The cap barrel has a first threaded surface and the coupler forward segment has a second threaded surface, which are selectively engagable to enable threadable connection of the cap to the coupler forward segment. The coupler rearward segment has a smooth engagement surface capable of press fitting connection to the wheel hub.

Abstract: A trailer tongue assembly has a base section which is engagable with a trailer and an extension section which supports a coupler. The trailer tongue assembly also has an internal hinge positioned between the extension section and the base section. The internal hinge rotationally connects the base section and the extension section and selectively provides the trailer tongue assembly with an extended operational position and a folded storage position. The internal hinge is housed in the trailer tongue assembly and is essentially shielded from view by the trailer tongue assembly when the trailer tongue assembly is in the extended operational position. The trailer tongue assembly also has a greater length in the extended operational position than in the folded storage position.

Abstract: A torsion axle is provided, which includes an axle tube having an interior chamber and an insert assembly positioned within the interior chamber. The insert assembly includes a rigid shaft, a relatively flexible cartridge, and relatively inflexible front and rear bushings. The cartridge has an interior passageway receiving the shaft and the front and rear bushings likewise each have an aperture receiving the shaft. The front bushing is positioned on the shaft in front of the cartridge, while the rear bushing is positioned on the shaft to the rear of the cartridge. The front and rear bushings are dimensioned to fit closely within the interior chamber and are freely rotatable relative to the shaft, while the cartridge is non-rotatable relative to the shaft at the interior passageway.

Abstract: A disk brake assembly for a trailer includes a rotor, inner and outer brake pads, a mounting bracket, upper and lower pad retention assemblies, a caliper assembly and a clamping arm. The rotor is a disk having the inner and outer brake pads positioned on opposite sides thereof. The mounting bracket, in cooperation with the upper and lower pad retention assemblies, maintains the position of the inner and outer brake pads relative to the rotor. The mounting bracket has a body with an upper arm and a lower arm extending therefrom. The upper arm has a downwardly-facing guide surface and the lower arm has an upwardly-facing guide surface. Each pad retention assembly includes an engagement sleeve, a clamping arm coupling and a pair of "U"-shaped spring sections connecting the engagement sleeve and clamping arm coupling. The upper engagement sleeve is mounted on the guide surface of the upper arm and the lower engagement sleeve is mounted on the guide surface of the lower arm.

Abstract: A hub-spindle assembly is provided having a spindle and a hub with forward and rearward apertures and an axial passageway extending therebetween. The spindle is received through the rearward aperture into the axial passageway and a wheel bearing is conventionally positioned between the spindle and interior surface of the axial passageway. A cap is fitted into the forward aperture of the axial passageway having a hollow open-ended barrel and a piston slidably positioned therein. The piston and barrel in combination define an interior cavity of the cap. The interior cavity and axial passageway form a continuous lubricant chamber having a fluid volume that is filled in its entirety with a liquid lubricant, thereby fully immersing the wheel bearing housed in the lubricant chamber. When the hub-spindle assembly is in rotational operation, the liquid lubricant typically expands due to heat buildup.

Abstract: A grease pressurizing hubcap for a wheel hub including a barrel press fit in the hub. A plastic piston disposed in the barrel and movable between inner and outer annular abutments in the barrel, the outer abutment being formed by an inward turned, reverse bent flange and the inner abutment being formed by a polygon-shaped split ring set in an annular groove in the interior of the barrel. A compression spring acting between the piston and the outer annular abutment normally pressing the piston to an inner position. A lubricating fitting set in the piston to fill the barrel on the inner side of the piston and to act against the compression spring to pressurize grease in the hub. A colored annular outer flange on the piston withdrawn into the barrel in the absence of pressurized grease and extending outwardly from the barrel in the presence of pressurized grease to visually indicate the grease pressure level conditions in the hub.

Abstract: An actuator/coupler having concealed rollers between forward coupler attaching to the towing vehicle and rear housing connected to trailer. Forward rollers bear on the underside of the top wall of the rear housing. The rear rollers bear on the underside of the top wall of the coupler. A hydraulic cylinder block is counterbored and the rear rollers have annular extensions fitting into the counterbores for roller support during assembly. Rests are provided under front rollers for roller support during assembly. A piston rod in the hydraulic cylinder extending forwardly through a pivotal latching wall having a clutching opening normally only letting the piston rod move rearwardly and locking against forward movement and a spring pressing the latching wall to locking position.

Abstract: An actuator/coupler having concealed rollers between forward coupler attaching to the towing vehicle and rear housing connected to trailer. Forward rollers bear on the underside of the top wall of the rear housing. The rear rollers bear on the underside of the top wall of the coupler. A hydraulic cylinder block is counterbored and the rear rollers have annular extensions fitting into the counterbores for roller support during assembly. Rests are provided under front rollers for roller support during assembly. A piston rod in the hydraulic cylinder extending forwardly through a pivotal latching wall having a clutching opening normally only letting the piston rod move rearwardly and locking against forward movement and a spring pressing the latching wall to locking position.

Abstract: A trailer coupler having a ball-receiving cavity formed by a stationary and a movable ball-gripping member. A movable abutment at the edge of the cavity adapted to be displaced by the ball of a towing vehicle hitch entering the ball-receiving cavity. Before the movable abutment is displaced, it prevents movement of the coupler operating handle to locked position. When the movable abutment is displaced, the operating handle is able to move to locked position and to move the movable ball-gripping member to secure the ball in the ball-receiving cavity. A latch securing the operating handle in locked position until a movable latch piece is moved to unlatched position.